A new warmth emerges in Russia-Pakistan relations
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The two-day visit of the foreign minister of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, to Islamabad last week marked an important milestone in the development of Pakistan-Russia relations.
The red carpet welcome and substantive meetings of the Pakistani leadership with Foreign Minister Lavrov were indicative of a new warmth in relations and a reciprocal desire to take concrete steps to forge a robust partnership in important domains, including energy, defense, counterterrorism, economy, technology and trade.
What is notable also is a wide sense of public jubilation on the gaining of greater traction in Pakistan- Russia relations. At last, India no longer holds a veto on Russia's relations with Pakistan.
More importantly, a shared perspective on global and regional issues and a clear recognition by Russia of Pakistan's ongoing efforts to promote stability and peace in Afghanistan as well as a keen desire to open the corridor to the Arabian sea for landlocked regions of Eurasia through its ports of Gwadar and Karachi, offer exciting new opportunities of cooperation.
Pakistan has wisely opted to pursue development as its strategic priority to build comprehensive economic strength by inter alia leveraging its geography as a regional economic pivot.
This geo-economic paradigm corresponds with the rhythm of ongoing Eurasian 'continental' processes of regional economic and trade cooperation that are being sponsored and promoted by Russia, China and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
India, on the other hand, finds itself increasingly inclined to participate in global geo-strategic contests that are centered on the 'maritime' domains of the so-called Indo-Pacific.
It is of course for New Delhi to determine its priorities. But the fact is that the Asia- Pacific perspectives will largely depend on the ASEAN - weighing and balancing their economic and security interests- in what appears to be an increasingly polarized strategic environment.
The quad for now is being given a 'softer' connotation in so far as generic issues of climate change and cooperation against COVID-19 are concerned, with heavy lifting in terms of security left to joint naval exercises by extra regional powers that have been wooing India in this regard.
Pakistan and India have thus adopted diametrically different, if not opposite, courses. It is geo-economics versus geo-politics. One increasingly involved in continental' cooperation and the other in maritime domains.
Salman Bashir
Pakistan and India have thus adopted diametrically different, if not opposite, courses. It is geo-economics versus geo-politics. One increasingly involved in continental cooperation and the other in maritime domains. But even in the latter domain, Pakistan continues to maintain its relevance with the Pakistan Navy holding friendly maritime exercises with the participation of most Indian Ocean states and naval forces of the US, China and Russia.
Pakistan's offer of a hand of friendship by army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, was pointed towards India. The economic, trade and energy corridors through Pakistan could link not only India but the entire South Asian region with Central and West Asia. In fact, this concept was also actively promoted by the US-North-South corridor.
It may be time for India and the US to revisit this concept to promote wholesome development and ensuing stability and peace based on equal footed, mutually advantageous, voluntary and inclusive cooperation. A breakthrough in Pakistan-India relations could open new horizons. This would only be possible if the Kashmir dispute were to be resolved, in accordance with Kashmiri aspirations.
Russia continues to play an active role in promoting peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan recognizes Russia's legitimate interests in its adjoining regions and its responsible and positive role. This is the core principle that has led to the turn-around in bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has renewed an invitation to President Putin to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience. The visit has to be prepared well so that it is rich in substance. Both sides have mechanisms in place to work the concrete aspects of cooperation especially in technology, defense, economy and trade.
The North-South Pakistan Gas Stream, the expansion of Pakistan Steel Mills, joint military and naval exercises, security, counter terrorism and defense equipment cooperation are significant markers to the building of cooperative ties.
Finally, Pakistan's efforts to create for itself a comfortable niche in its troubled neighborhood and broaden its economic space and renew ancient cultural ties with the Central Asian Republics stands vindicated by positive Russian endorsement of Pakistan's strategic direction.
For the people of Pakistan, Lavrov's visit symbolized hope for new opportunities-- both bilateral and regional. It was a vindication of Pakistan's importance as a pivot state by a major continental power.
– Salman Bashir is a Pakistani diplomat who served as Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and as High Commissioner of Pakistan to India.
Twitter: @Salman_B_PK
